Two attempted robberies this week added to a spate of similar crimes so far this month that have left some residents of Greater Lafayette feeling uneasy.

The rash of robberies started Aug. 4 when four men — three armed with handguns — robbed the Industrial Federal Credit Union on Meijer Drive in Lafayette. Police still are investigating that crime and do not have any solid suspects, Lafayette Police Capt. Kurt Wolf said Wednesday.

Four days later, about 3:20 a.m. last Friday, armed robbers hit the Circle K gasoline/convenience store in West Lafayette. A day after that, the Village Pantry at Sixth and Union streets in Lafayette was robbed. Police believe those two robberies were connected; three suspects have been arrested.

Also Saturday, unknown assailants broke into a home in the 1300 block of Main Street in Lafayette and beat and robbed the residents.

So far this week, there was an attempted armed robbery about 5:30 p.m. Monday at Hastings Court in Lafayette and another attempted armed robbery in the 1800 block of Main Street about 11:50 p.m. Tuesday.

The attempted robberies Monday and Tuesday involved men trying to steal cellphones, but the suspects in the two incidents do not appear to be the same.

Wolf acknowledged that the run of robberies occurring so close together is not normal for the area.

"I think it is unusual," he said. "Other than the two convenience stores, we don't really have a link to the others."

Wolf advised residents to be cautious, but he added that "I wouldn't be worrying" that general safety has declined.

"We have these things go in cycles," he said.

West Lafayette police Lt. Troy Harris also said people should not panic because of the recent robberies, but they should take notice of them, "especially with the use of a firearm."

Lafayette police Lt. Jim Taul said, "Be aware of your surroundings."

That phrase is bandied about often after robberies or during the holiday shopping season, but what precisely does it mean?

Everyone has to walk from the parking lot to the store, Taul explained. Pay attention to the people walking, standing or milling about in the area. Walk with your head up, looking around for people who might be up to something.

"Look everybody in the eye," Taul said, noting that it doesn't have to be an unfriendly look. "Bad guys don't like to be identified. If you greet everybody on your way in, maybe they'll move on."

Somebody approaching a shopper quickly might just be a person in a hurry or trying to get out of the weather. But it also might be someone preparing to snatch a purse, cellphone or wallet.

Once inside a store, women should put purses inside a shopping cart, not in the cart's child seat. Then pile groceries on the purse, making it difficult for a would-be thief to take the purse or its contents, Taul said.

When arriving in a parking lot, watch for people sitting in parked cars. They might be harmlessly waiting for a spouse or friend, or they might be waiting for an opportunity. Park somewhere else, Taul suggested.

If you are the one waiting inside a parked car, lock the doors, Taul said.

For example, the woman on Hastings Court whom two men attempted to rob was in her car with the doors unlocked when an armed man opened the passenger door and started rummaging through her car, Taul said. Meanwhile, another man opened the driver's door and tried to take her cellphone. Locked car doors might have given her time to react when someone tried to open the door, Taul said.

Need help?

Report suspicious behavior to police by calling 911. If the behavior is not threatening, dial the police department's dispatch numbers: